KAMLOOPS, B.C. — The Governments of Canada and British Columbia will contribute to the upgrading of 4.2 km of highway to four lanes at the Wright Station Curves, between 100 Mile House and Williams Lake on Highway 97, the major north/south artery in B.C. The project is consistent with the provinces long-term vision of the four-lane Cariboo Connector between Cache Creek and Prince George. The Cariboo Connector is designed to support growth in truck traffic related to the harvesting of wood affected by the pine beetle, and the development of the Port of Prince Rupert.

The Government of Canada will contribute up to $4.2 million for the project. The funding is part of the estimated total project cost of $11.2 million and comes from a $44-million federal commitment to fund transportation infrastructure projects through the Mountain Pine Beetle Program under the Asia-Pacific Gateway and Corridor Initiative.

“Our government is responding to community needs in and around 100 Mile House and Williams Lake, by working with the Province and our industry partners to combat the negative impact of the beetle,” said Betty Hinton, Member of Parliament for Kamloops-Thompson-Cariboo. “We are taking concrete action to improve the quality of life for area residents, enhance safety and maximize the efficiency of these important trade routes.”

The Government of Canada is committing $200 million to deliver the Mountain Pine Beetle Program, a comprehensive response to the mountain pine beetle infestation. Earlier this year, the government announced almost $25 million to slow the spread of the beetle into Alberta and protect communities along the eastern B.C. border.

Another $39.6 million was announced in June to support the efforts of British Columbia to combat the spread of the beetle, protect communities and forest resources in affected areas, and support long-term economic stability in forest-dependent communities.